Two late goals clinched the GFA Minor Cup North in dramatic style for Shurdington Rovers at Kayte Lane last night.

They overcame Mickleton Rangers 3-1 with the prolific Mark Hitchman scoring in the 85th minute before substitute Taylor-Jay Orchard made certain of victory five minutes later.

Orchard had been on the pitch for just four minutes after replacing first-half goalscorer Jamie Moore.

Moore’s goal had given Shurdington the half-time lead against their fellow Cheltenham League Division One side, but Mickleton were still very much in the game and pulled level around the hour mark through an own goal.

Shurdington dug deep, however, and found the extra gears to go on and claim an excellent win.

“It was brilliant,” said Steve Henley, the club chairman and assistant manager to Stuart Ford. “It was a very tough game, it was desire and fight that got us through. We gave it our all.

“It was a special night for us, Stuart and I can’t thank the lads enough for all their efforts. It was a great battle.”

Mickleton and Shurdington have been locked in a three-way battle, along with Cheltenham United, at the top of Division One all season.

Mickleton hold the advantage in the 12-strong division but they have still to play third-placed Shurdington, who trail the leaders by five points, twice.

Second-placed Cheltenham United are two points behind Mickleton but have only two games left to play.

“You could say it is still in our hands because we’ve got to play Mickleton twice,” said Henley, “but it’s going to be very difficult to win every game.”

Shurdington are actually chasing a quadruple because they are in the semi-finals of the league’s Senior Charity Cup and Minor Charity Cup.

They play Division Two side AFC Worcester Forge in the Senior Charity Cup at Kaye Lane on Friday evening.    

Luke Mansell, who went on as a first-half substitute for the injured Jamie Harrison last night, will be pressing for a starting spot in that game.

“He played centre midfield, he was excellent,” said Henley, “He was player of the match.”